Let’s talk about Mike Tomlin. This guy’s been coaching since ’95, which is like ancient history in sports years. But seriously, he’s not just a coach; he’s evolved into something way more. Think of him as that cool older brother who always had your back, but now he’s more like a supportive dad figure for his players. He’s all about training up the rookies and helping the vets shine. And get this: he’s not just a pro at mentoring athletes; he’s a fantastic dad in real life too, supporting his son in everything he does. We saw a perfect example of that. Mike just imparted some serious dad wisdom to his son.

This Friday, Mike Tomlin posted a powerful five-word message on his Instagram story about his son’s artistic side. Yeah, his son is really putting in the work, and Tom backed him up with, “keep on doing it, Mayce.” It’s clear that, just like in Mayce’s rap lyrics, he’s making his family super proud. But how did this whole journey get started?

Back in high school, Mason was all over the field, playing different spots like wide receiver and quarterback. Thanks to the pretty small size of the team. But deep down, he always had a thing for defense, and his dad totally got that. Then the pandemic hit, and everything was flipped upside down. Mason started to dig into himself and discovered that music was his jam, which led him to become rapper Mayce. And speaking of which, what’s up with Tom? How did he turn into such a positive dad?

Maybe it’s all about his coaching skills. The Steelers’ head coach shared how his time on the sidelines has shaped him as a dad. And how being a father has, in turn, influenced his coaching approach. Tomlin understands that the years he spent coaching gave him valuable tools to bond with his sons when they were younger.

On The Pivot Podcast, he mentioned, “I got sons, sons that play ball and stuff, so that keeps me somewhat connected. When I was young, my coaching experience and abilities allowed me to be a better father and helped me in my parenting. And now, my fathering probably helps me with my coaching.”His parenting skills certainly influence the way he treats his players.

When Tomlin first joined the Steelers at 35, he felt more like a big brother to his players. His coaching strategies helped him create a supportive atmosphere at home, making the ups and downs of parenting a bit easier to handle. Now, at 52, he has taken on a more fatherly role with his team as his sons have grown. Getting involved in his sons’ activities—especially sports—has significantly boosted his ability to connect with the young players he coaches.

But when loyalty fades and the team turns its back on Mike Tomlin, you have to wonder: What went wrong behind the scenes?

Why are 27% of Steelers starters leaving in 2024?

W͏e all knew͏ the NFL’s l͏egal tampering͏ win͏dow would b͏e a crazy͏ rid͏e! But the New York Jets‘ picking up QB Justin Fields shocked Steelers fans. They are still searching for a quarterback but have limited options. Daniel Jones is now with the Colts, leaving Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson as the only real choices. However, the quarterback situation isn’t the only area where the Steelers are falling short. They must address a significant gap in their lineup.

Bringing in receiver DK Metcalf was a solid move, but let’s rewind to the Combine. General Manager Omar Khan initially mentioned that they would first look for a quarterback and then find receivers to complement him. By flipping that order, they’re still making it work. The offense is shaping up for whoever steps in as the new quarterback.

There was an expectation for Metcalf to create a positive ripple effect, but unfortunately, he hasn’t. NFL reporter Mark Kaboly shared some eye-opening stats. In a post on X, he noted, “The Steelers have lost Najee Harris, Justin Fields, Dan Moore, Donte Jackson, and James Daniels on the first day of tampering and cut Larry Ogunjobi. That’s 27% of their opening-day starters from last year.” It l͏ooks like͏ ͏the͏ ͏Pi͏ttsb͏urgh Stee͏lers͏ will have͏ a different͏ look in the upcoming season.

Interestingly, aside from the Metcalf deal, they remained relatively quiet on the first day of the legal tampering window. This means they still have some big gaps to fill before the deadline. However, some of their moves weren’t surprising at all.

Let’s talk about Najee Harris for a second. He played 68 consecutive regular-season games and recorded four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, yet the Steelers let him go.

Why? Harris was more of a solid but unspectacular player rather than a standout running back in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Justin Fields was firmly on the Steelers’ radar right up until the last second before they signed him. With Mike Tomlin showing little faith, Fields was ready to jump ship when the Jets swooped in. They offered him a lucrative two-year, $40 million deal—an offer he couldn’t resist.

However, it’s hard to say whether not trusting Tomlin will have a lasting impact on the Steelers’ performance in the Steel City.